Anushka Shetty, who was last seen in the 2018 bilingual Bhaagamathie, is reportedly part of Mani Ratnam’s next directorial, an adaptation of the classic novel, Ponniyin Selvan. According to a source in the know, the Baahubali actor will join the cast, which comprises Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Suriya among others. The source further adds that the film is being visualised in a budget of Rs 540 crores.  While Aishwarya Rai has confirmed that she will be a part of the Chekka Chivantha Vaanam filmmaker’s next, there has been no official announcements about the cast and crew of the film yet.

Recently, actor-playwright  Elango Kumaravel was brought onboard to write the screenplay for the film. Actors like Vikram (Aditya Karikalan), Jayam Ravi (Arulmozhi Varman), Karthi (Vandiyadevan), Keerthy Suresh (Kunthavai Naachiyaar), Mohan Babu (Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Nandini, wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar), Amitabh Bachchan (Sundara Chozhar), and Amala Paul (Vaanathi) are also speculated to be a part of the period film.